Dear ones, in these troubled times we need to be able to calm our minds.
We can do this by returning to the present moment.

This will enable us to let go of our constant worry, and and find peace in ourselves, which will naturally radiate out to others.
This makes us happier,
and enable us to be more focused in what we think and do.

c

a

l

m

✉

Breathing in, I calm body and mind.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment

I know this is the only moment.

☮

“Breathing in, I calm body and mind.”This line is like drinking a glass of ice water. You feel the cold, the freshness, permeate your body. When I breathe in and recite this line, I actually feel the breathing calming my body, calming my mind.

“Breathing out, I smile.”
You know the effect of a smile. A smile can relax hundreds of muscles in your face, and relax your nervous system. A smile makes you master of yourself. That is why the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are always smiling. When you smile, you realize the wonder of the smile.

“Dwelling in the present moment.”
While I sit here, I don’t think of somewhere else, of the future or the past. I sit here and I know where I am.

“I know this is the only moment.”
This is the only moment that is real. To be here and now, and enjoy the present moment is our most important task.

Like this:

Came home yesterday to the news that Mel Smith had died of a heart attack.
OMG

But he wasn’t that old!

Mel’s early death at 60 made people question their own mortality. He died in his sleep at home, which would be the majority preference if we were given the choice.
But 60 does seem a bit young.
“Thinking about sad news about Mel Smith. Only 6 years older than me. Time to get on with things I want to do. Life is no rehearsal.”
AJ on Twitter

Buddha said that our biggest mistake is that we think we have time.

Mel’s death seemed to resonate with people.

It was trending on Twitter yesterday, and some lovely tributes have been made.
Even the sun round here has gone in out of respect, leaving an appropriate chill in the air.

Robert Llewellyn ‏Tweeted: “Very shocked and sad to hear about lovely Mel Smith. He was a truly wonderful, funny and very kind man. Bit dazed by the news.”
and FJ replied, “Utterly heartbreaking. I’m not ashamed to say I shed tears at the news. A terribly tragic loss.”

Well, I wouldn’t go quite that far, but I did shed a few tears.
“Sad news about Mel Smith. Not the Nine O’Clock News was my first ever essential comedy show, aged 9.” Like Dara O’Briain, I went to school with these comedy sketches going round my mind.

😥

An essential part in a golden age of British satire

Mel Smith and friends’ satiric take on topical events was intelligent and funny and lifted the heaviness of living in Thatcher’s Britain.
It offered another way of looking at things that was altogether lighter and brilliantly skewed. Much needed.

Since things change according to the way you look at them;
by consciously viewing thing in a different way, we can alter not only how they appear, but what they are to us.
This idea is valuable and worth playing with. It gives us some distance, and therefore a clearer perspective on events. Incredibly helpful.

Thank you Mel. Our prayers are with you.
May they be guiding lights for the next stage
of your journey.